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New Consumer Code for Home Builders

The Consumer Code for Home Builders was introduced on 1st April 2010 and will apply if you reserve to buy a new home, or a newly converted home, from a builder registered with the National House Building Council (NHBC) or Premier Guarantee on or after that date.

From 1st April all house builders registered with the NHBC or Premier Guarantee will be required to adopt and comply with the Code as a condition of their continued registration.  Should a builder be found to act in serious breach of the Code sanctions can be imposed which could ultimately include their removal from the relevant Home Warranty Body's register - and exclusion from all registers run by other Home Warranty Bodies who participate in the scheme.

From the point of reservation you will be entitled to an agreement that sets out the terms including the price – and how long the price will stay valid – and the reservation fee, which must be reimbursed if the agreement is later cancelled.  The terms and conditions of the sale must be clear and fair and state your rights of termination. You should be given reliable and realistic information about when the construction of the home may be finished, the date of legal completion, and the date of handover.
 
After you have moved in the builder must provide an accessible after-sales service and explain what that service includes, who to contact, and what guarantees and warranties will apply.

If you are dissatisfied with a builder’s response you may contact the NHBC or Premier Guarantee as appropriate which will deal with your complaint under the terms of their individual policies or you may take your complaint to the independent Disputes Resolution Scheme. 

The Code is backed by the Council of Mortgage Lenders, the House Builders’ Association and the Federation of Master Builders. 

Please contact us for more details or visit www.consumercodeforhomebuilders.com